Princess Cadence looked over the train window, gazing the approaching gleaming waterfalls of rainbow Falls, all the colors of the spectrum falling into place in a cloudy mountain where every year the Traders Exchange took place.
Every year, ponies from all over Equestria and neighbouring kingdoms, gathered to trade their values, from their most precious gemstones to just some barely useful junk, like the old saying said “everything can be found on the Traders Exchange”.
Such an important occasion obviously needed the presence of a Royal Pony to precede it and this year, Princess Cadence was granted the honor. Sadly, she did not see it that way. She feigned excitement and was grateful to her aunt´s missive but the truth was that she wanted to stay in the Crystal Kingdom on this particular date. Any other day she would have gladly accepted it but this day, she just wanted to stay home.
Shining Armor noticed his wife sighing and placed a hoof on her shoulder “What´s the problem?”
“It´s nothing,” she said, patting his hoof. “I just wasn´t expecting to spend our very first anniversary stuck on the Traders Exchange.”
“Oh come on, I´m sure we´ll have fun.”
“I´ve accompanied my aunt ever since I was crowned. Trust me, Shining there´s nothing fun about sitting all day and listening to ponies endless bickering. I don´t know how my aunt deals with it.”
“Relax honey, the day will be over before we knew it. Besides, something tells me this year it´s going to be a little special,” Shing said, nuzzling Cadence and waving at the back of the train.
The Crystal Train was filled with ponies from the Crystal Empire, all talking and trading their own stuff in preparation for the fair. Cadence smiled, noticing how excited they were. It made sense, their first fair in a thousand years. They could hardly wait for it.
“Cheer up. I´m going to check on the troops,” Shining said and walked to the back rows.
A loose ball almost hit him in the head but he quickly catch it with his magic.
“Woah there, out of field. That´s a penalty shot,” he said to a group of approaching kids.
The kids took the ball, laughing and resumed their game of pounding a poor pegasus with all sort of objects, despite his protests. Finally the hurt pony was kicked out of the group, landing right in front of Shining Armor.
“Easy there, fella,” he said, helping him get up. “Having a little trouble keeping them at bay, uh?”
“Yeah. I was told to keep an eye on the kids but I never expected to need an extra pair just to keep track on them. Thanks for the help, buddy,” the orange pegasus said before realizing who he was addressing. “Your Majesty! Private Flash Sentry, reporting to duty sir, sir!”
“At ease, soldier,” Shing said, laughing at the kid's salute. “So you got stuck with watching the toddlers, uh? Oh yeah, I remember back when i was a rookie, they put me through a lot. I once was told to clean the bathrooms but they forgot to tell me there was giant slugs in there. By the time I got them all out you could have used me as a sticker book.”
Flash laughed along with Shining, finding the Prince and Captain to be somepony very easily to get along with. Even after the joke was over, his smile didn´t leave his face because he was enjoying chatting with him.
“Rainbow Falls!” the conductor announced as the train reached the station.
“Let´s get this over with,” Cadence sighed and headed the group out of wagon. She was surprised to find that, along with the usual reception a Princess gets, there was another pony waiting for her.
“Raven?” she said, recognizing the unicorn secretary that always escorted her aunt, Princess Celestia. “My aunt gave you a day off to visit the Traders Exchange. How generous of her.”
“Of course she did not,” was the stern response of the unicorn.
“Well, that´s not quite like her…” Cadence said, looking nervously at Shining.
“I insisted to Princess Celestia that she let me escort you, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, for the day. This is your first time preceding the Trades Exchange on your own and you will need a counselor to keep the schedule,” Ravne explained, adjusting her glasses.
“Thats´...really nice of you, Raven. You really shouldn´t have bothered.”
“Like I said, I insisted,” Raven repeated, adjusting her glasses again, so determined they even made a “ching” sound.
“Yeah, good luck with this one, honey. I´m going to check the stands, maybe I´ll find some Oubliettes and Ogres collectibles,” Shing said, trying to make a escape but he didn't go far,
“Of course you´re not, Prince Consort Shining Armor. As the Royal Escort of your Majesty, you´re bound to stand by her side the entire evening, providing her with the necessary support and assistance,” Raven said in an authority tone that made even Shingin stop dead on his tracks.
“Yeah about that, I don't think I´ll be able too because...because...I have to check the security. Yeah, that. As Captain of the Royal Guard it is my duty to make sure the facilities are secure and there´s no dangerous creatures lurking around.”
“That is one of your duties and there has been incidents of dangerous animals getting loose,” Ravn admitted, checking her notes.
“Then I´ll get to it!”
“Hold it!” Ravne interrupted Shingin before he could escape. “Since your coronation, those duties are no longer your sole responsibility. You must instruct a member of your guard to perform them while you remain by the Princess´ side.”
“And I know the perfect pony for the job, my friend Flash Sentry!” Shing grabbed the distracted pegasus, pulling him next to his side.
“A rookie private? I´m afraid he doesn't have the rank for this task, not unless he has a superior officer supervising..”
“And I just happen to be superior officer in need.”
“Yes, but…”
“Come along, Private! We need to check for vicious cockatrices and crystal ghosts and earth sprites and the like,” Shining said, pushing Flash along and not letting Raven a chance to protest.
“Hmph!” Raven said and turned around to face Cadence, “It seems I will have to remain by your side for the evening, your Majesty.”
“That´s..lovely,” was all Cadence could reply.
******
“That was a close call,” Shining said, heading for the stands. Flash Sentry however was taking his tie to catch up with him. “What's wrong, Flash?”
“You...really want me to spend the day with you?”
“Of course! It´s a lot better to spend the day with a friend that all alone. Now come on, I think I saw a games stand over there.”
Shingin pranced like a little colt to a stand filled with collectible figurines and board games while Flash Sentry was still standing in place.
“Prince Shining Armor wants me to spend the day with him AND he thinks I´m his friend? Oh my gosh, this has to be the best day of my life!”
“Come on, Flash!”
“Ye-yes!”
Flash did a little somersault in the air before trotting after Shingin, all the way sporting a wide, goofy smile.
*****
Cadence on the other hoof, wasn´pt smiling at all. She sighed while Raven listed the prized established by the Canterlot market regarding lamposts to a pony that was arguing the one he just traded wasn´t valuable enough. Eager for a distraction, Cadence looked over the crowd do ponies and she caught sight of something, a couple of earth ponies arguing.
“I´m telling you this the time of the year for the Hearth Warming Eve´s decorations! They will be impossible to find during the season!” the husband said.
“That is ridiculous! We should take advantage that Hearts and Hooves is only a few weeks ahead and sell the molds!” the wife insisted.
“We won't get a good deal out of them! Hearts and Hooves models are only good one day of the year while Hearths Warming ones can be used for every celebration!”
“But there´s plenty of newlyweds couples around looking for a present right now!”
“Why do you always do this? You never think ahead of time, everything has to be right now!”
“Better than wait for months and get all the presents at the last minute!”
“Is this about the twins last month-iversary? Because you can´t honestly expect me to keep up with everyone of Pinkie´s celebrations! That girl has a new one every week!”
“At least she does something new instead of being stuck in the same routine!”
By this point, other ponies were noticing the screaming bakers couple but they were pretending not to stare. Cadence however was paying attention, worried of where this argument was going.
“Maybe I should try something new and sell MY decorations all over there!” the husband said.
“Then I´l stay here and sell MY set of decorations!” the wife said.
“Fine!”
“Fine!”
“Fine!”
“FINE!”
“Oh no,” Cadence said as the husband turned around and left his wife return to the stand. “This is terrible. I need to do something.”
“Stop right there!” Raven said, making Cadence stop mid flight. “You cannot leave your sit, Princess.”
“But Raven, didn't you saw that couple just now? They need my help.”
“I did and you can't worry about them right now, you have other duties to attend,” Raven said, forcing her to face the waiting peasants.
“But those ponies´s marriage…”
“It is none of your business. Not now, right now you have to determine if eating a hat counts as a fair trade.”
Cadence sighed while the two farmers began arguing over said hat. Cadence gave a last look at the crowd but she had already lost sight of the married couple.
******
Flash Sentry was still grinning. When he joined the force, he wasn't expecting to ever meet the Captain. Let alone be able to spend the day with him but that was happening right now and he couldn´t hold back. He got a million questions to ask but was too nervous to say even one. He just followed Shining while the unicorn kept pointing at every toy he saw.
“...and this one is a metalized edition. Very rare. Oh look at that, a hoof painted one! Those are special. Oh my stars!”
“Something´s wrong, captain?”
“Look at that!” Shing said, squishing Flash´s cheeks and then rushed to a stand filled with figurines of ponies and monster. “A limited edition Unicornia Paladin! This is one of the rarest figurines ever made!”
“Like that? Snatched it at last Hydra-con at Baltimare,” the pegasus that ran the store said.
“It is amazing! Imagine how much better my game will be with such a figurine…”
Shining Armor looked like a child, poking the figurine. Flash was still smiling but now he was starting to realize how childish the prince was looking.
“Of course a figurine like that it´s only allowed for fourth edition and forwards. You´ll look pretty ridiculous using one in first edition which, obviously, only a true O & O player will play,” the store owner said.
“Excuse me? I let you know that figurines are allowed in the addendum to the first edition Player´s Guide under accessories!”
“Ha, those rules were added for dweebs who couldn´t use their imaginations to fill on the gaps. Players my days only had pen and paper and that was all we needed.”
“You think you´re some sort of senior or something, son? I was there, under the rain, when the first Monster Compendium was released!”
“So you have that lousy first edition that had a print error regarding sea-ponies?”
“It´s a collectible piece!”
Flash Sentry´s smile was now long gone and even his wings were looking down. he had just realized a painful truth. Princes Shining Armor, the youngest Captain of the Royal Guard, the pony that he admired, was a giant dork when it comes to Oubliettes and Ogres..
“You expect me to trade my special twelve sided Night of Canterlot edition dice for this?” Shing roared at the store owner.
“I´m not. You will be getting away with robbing me if I let this limited edition go away for just that crummy dice,” the own replied.
“How dare you? Let´s go, Flash! This guy has no idea how to respect the legacy of the great Gary Sycorax!”
“Yes, sir,” Flash said, sighing and following Shining Armor, all his excitement gone.
“We should try the comics stand. Maybe they have some Power Ponies figurines for my Barnshock set,” Shingin said.
Flash was about to betray everything he believed and talk back to the Prince, letting him know this wasn´t exactly what he expected when suddenly a high shriek surprised them. They both reached liek trained guards, jumping in position but the mare in question wasn´t in any danger.
“Is that Prince Shining Armor?” she shouted, not really asking more like letting know the other mares around.
“IT IS!” they yelled in response.
“Oh no…”
“What´s wrong, sir?”
“Well, the thing is that since my wedding and the coronation, I sort of became famous,” Shining explained. “Hey, it´s nice to get attention but not this kind of attention.”
The shrieking mares started to rush in their direction and Flash finally got what Shining meant.
“We better get out of here,” Shining said and they took off.
It was probably a comedic sight to watch them rushd form stand to stand, the hordes of fans following them at every turn without losing them once but both stallions were getting really tired.
“I can´t go on with this,” Shining admitted.
“I have an idea,” Flash said and pushed Shingin against some barrels. He then flew next to a banner and grabbed them, making an improvised arrow. “Ladies! His Majesty will be signing autographs at that stand in a few minutes. You better hurry!”
Entranced by their own spell, the shrieking mares headed for the tand of the rude pegasus, giving him now a hard time. Smirking, Flash returned next to Shining Armor.
“Good idea, rookie,”
“Thank you ,sir.”
“Next time thought, let me know before you kick me over the trash.”
“Oh yeah…” Flash admitted, blushing a little.
“We better split up. I do want that Paladin figurine so I need to find something that greedy pony will want. Here, I need you to take care of my special twelve sided dice. You have somewhere to keep it safe?”
“Yes, sir! There´s no safer place that my guitar picks case!” Flash said, taking out said small case.
“You...always carry that around?”
“Of course! What if I need to play a guitar bass and I don´t have the required pick?” Flash said, totally serious as he dropped the dice into the box filled with a dozen almost identical picks.
“Right…” Shining Armor said, making the exact same face Flash made while he argued with the stand owner. “Just make sure nothing happens to it, okay? That dice and I have fought against the forces of darkness sicne I was in freshpony year.”
“Sure. You can...count on me, sir!” Flash said, giving him a salute.
Shining Armor returned the salute, checked if there was nopony around, especially no shrieking amres and hopped away. Flash smiled, maybe Shining Armor wasn´t the pony he expected but he was certainly fun to hang with. He decided to actually do what they supposed to be doing and do a recognizing of the zone when his eyes got caught of a wonderful sight.
“Is that..what I think it is?” he said with starry eyes.
“Sure it is, dude. It´s...well, it´s like a guitar,” the pony with an afro hair that ran the music instruments responded.
“Made from authentic Smokey Mountain oak…” he said, embellished by the black guitar.
“Yeah, quite nice,” the store owner responded, obviously not so invested as Flash. “Got it in like a rock festival in Las Pegasus. A bit too loud but kids were all like bangign their heads and pretending to eat chickens heads. Was like weird,”
“You don´t tell me…” Flash said, his mind already imagine what it would be to play that in a concert. “I need it. She´s calling for me…”
“Uhhh, sure, like, whatever you say. Have something to like trade, dude?”
Flash rushed to find something but his pickets were empty so he handled his helmet, hoping that would work. Of course, it didn´t.
“Sorry dude, no sell,” the pony said to a disappointed Flash. “Tell you what, Wheat has been looking like for something for her. Something nice. A rock or like something.”
“If I get you one will you trade me that guitar?”
“Sure, like if I you really want it. I don´t see the big deal myself.”
Flash almost responded with the same aggression Shingin displayed to the other owner but refrained from it and decided to go searching for a rock to trade.
******
Meanwhile, Princess Cadence was starting to lose her patience. It seemed like every single pony in the fair had a problem they needed her to solve, this was even more boring that when she used to accompany Celestia because all the problems were so simple that she didn't get why they bother her so much. Plus, her mind was still worried with that arguing couple.
“I have already rejected five other complains. They were all caused by not reading the label on the products. Up next…”
Cadence smiled despite the situation. Truth was that the day has been going rather smoothly thanks to Raven´s efficient methods. Cadence never knew the mare really well but she always seemed to be content by Princess Celestia´s side, always smiling and happily providing her with everything she needed. Now she looked so sour, so determined to make sure everything worked fine that didn´t seemed to be having any fun.
Raven noticed Cadence looking at her and said, “Is there something wrong, your highness?”
“Oh nothing, I was just wondering, is there anything you want, Raven?”
“All I want is for the schedule to run without interruptions.”
“I meant something from the fair. Maybe you were expecting to find something today…”
“I have no time for such petty concerns, Princess. And neither do you for that matter, we a strict schedule to follow.”
“Okay, if you say so...I personally will like to go for some food,” Cadence murmured. “What´s next on the list?”
Raven made an annotation and said, “Lunch.”
Happy with the coincidence, Cadence realized she could actually do something for the married couple and headed to the stand where the wife was making sweets.
“Princess, do you want anything special?”
“Just something quick,” Cadence said, noticing Raven tapping her quill on the papers in impantentice. “You are Mrs. Cup Cake, right? Twilight Sparkle has mentioned you before.”
“Oh my, that little girls talks about me with a Princess? You´re making me blush,”
“Twilight always praises the pastries you and your husband make. Are you two working together in this stand?”
“He´s not around,” Cup Cake coldly said, turning to get the cookies,
“So are you trying to sell something, some cake decorations perhaps?”
“We do have this set of cookie molds, either for cookies or chocolate,” Mrs. Cake said, showing them to Cadence.
“Oh so cute!”
“Yeah, they´re supposed to be for this season but try to tell my husband who thinks you can recycle everything! If he had a saying he would sell the dough that gets stuck on the bowls! That if Pinkie didn't ate it every time…”
“Have you try to reach a compromise? Maybe sell it as an special occasion sets or something?”
“Why do I need to compromise? He´s the one making bad decisions!”
Mrs. Cake was so angry she was forgetting protocol, not that Cadence will point that out. Raven however was getting impatient and wanted this conversation to be over so she grabbed the cookies with her magic and retired.,
“Thanks for the sweets. Take care,” Cadence said, faking a smile. “What a disaster., This requires my full attention, that is if I can find any free time at all…”
“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!”
“Coming Raven…”
*****
Back at the stands, Flash Sentry had found a stand that traded rocks, tended by two identical pony sisters. So identical that they finished each other's sentences, something that scared Flash to no end.
“So you are searching for a rock…”
“...a special rock, right?”
“Right…”
“He must be looking for something for a mare, Limestone.”
“No doubt about that, Marblestone.”
Flash shivered, unable to cope with those twins.
“So what kinds of rocks do you have?”
“We have all kinds of rocks…”
“...for all kinds of ponies,” This time Marble finished Lime´s sentence, sending another shiver down Flash´s back.
“So yeah, I am looking for a rock for aamre but it isn't like that, it´s somepony´s else mare.”
“Oh,a an unrequited love…”
“...how tragic. Hehehe.”
“The laughs are even worse,” Flash thought to himself. “How about this rock?” Flash said, pointing at a shiny gemstone.
“You don´t want that rock,” Lime said.
“I don´t?”
“You want this one,” Marble said and took out a rock covered in dirt,
“It´s a rock...covered in dirt,” Flash said.
“It´s not dirt…” Marble began.
“...itps moss.” Lime finished.
“Okay, I think I´ll go with the other one. So how about an official Canterlot Guard helmet for it?”
The twins were immune to Flash´s grin and just stared at him with a blank expression. Defeated, Flash checked his pockets to see what else he could trade and ran into his case of picks. He didn't want to get loose of any of them, they were both special and useful but he really really wanted that guitar.
“How about these? There´s a pick for every occasion.”
The twins loomed over and they seemed to be interested or as close as their expression will allow it.
“We´ll take it,” they both said at once and grabbed the box in a swift motion, lending Flash a bag with his purchase.
“Thanks,” Flash said, rushing to get away from the creepy twins.
*****
Back to Shining Armor, the Prince had devised a crafty costume made from different things he picked over the stands, a pair of tacky sunglasses, an oversized raincoat with flower pattern, a ridiculously large hat, truly he was a master of disguise.
“Oh hi, honey,” Cadence said.
“Uh, how did you know it was me?”
“Honey, you´re cute but disguising it´s not your special talent,” Cadence said and leaned over Shingin, taking advantage that Raven was arguing with some ponies regarding stolen clothes. “I need your help with something Shining, I saw a couple arguing early today…”
“And you want to do something about it…” Shining said, rolling his eyes.
“They really need my help Shining, now listen, go to his stand and try to convince him to return to their stand. I'm sure they can work things out if only they talk with each other,” she whispered.
Shining sighed but finally agreed. “I´ll see what I can do…”
“Thank you, honey,” Cadence said, giving Shining Armor a good luck kiss on the cheek.
****
Back with Flash Sentry now, who was quite happily depositing his bag next to Flax Seed, only to discover he had exchanged the moss covered rock instead of the shiny one.
“Woah dude, this is like a really big rock.”
“Yes, now can I have the...oh wait, this is not what I traded! I´m sorry, I´ll get it back,” Flash begna but Flax was already giving the rock to his wife.
“This is wonderful. Look at all the life growing out of it, it´s,...so entrancing.”
“Okaaaay...cna I have my guitar now?”
“Sure buddy like go for it,” Flax said, being so entranced like his wife for the moss covered rock,
Flash decided to ignore all those weird ponies and focus on his new partner. He caressed the guitar and little hearts floated all over him and he didn´t care one bit if somepony was looking. He descended to the ground and got ready to play it, reaching from his case of picks only to remember he had traded it. Flash sighed disappointed when he remembered something more important.
“Sure I can I´ll take care of it!”
“Oh no, I gave away the Prince´s irreplaceable lucky twelve sided Nights of Canterlot edition dice!”
All the ponies stopped and looked at him, waiting for his reaction.
“What I have done?”
*******
“So what you say about some Clover the Clever shape molds. You can also have Chancellor Puddinghead and Commander Hurricane all together, ready to make your cookies Holiday themed. I bet a happy fellow like you like that,” Carrot Cake said to a pony with a grumpy expression that matched his cutie Mark. “Or maybe not…hi there, Princes Shingin.”
“You too? What's wrong with my disguise’’” Shinign complained while the other pony left.
“So what can I help you with, your majesty?”
“Heard you were selling these cookie shapes,” Shining said and Mr. Cake waved at them. “Those are good but not what I Was looking for. Maybe Mrs. Cake has the other half of the set?”
“Then go and ask her,” Mr Cake responded, taking them away.
“Seems you two aren't on speaking terms right now.”
“Not like it's my fault. I´m just trying to be practical and shep´s the one wasting away our products. If it was up to her she would give the leftovers as free samples every day. That is if Pinkie doesn't eat them every day….”
“Come on, mr. Cake. Don't you think you could work things out if you just go back and talk to her?”
“Let me ask you something son, how long have you been married?”
“Actually, ti´s going to be a year just today…” Shining responded.
“Try being married the better part of your life. Try having to argue for every decision you make. Try watching half of your incomes wasted because she´s too stubborn to admit she also can make mistakes. then you can give me advice,” Mr Cake said and closed his stand, stomping away as he leave.
Shingin sighed and said out loud “This is why I don't get in couples´business.”
******
“And that´s when this no gooder tried to trade my hammock!” a pony complained, pointing at the accused.
“So he wanted to exchange your hammock for a parrot?” Cadence asked looking at the old pony with a parrot on his shoulder.
“No, he wanted the hammock for the pony!”
“Wait, I´m confused, is the parrot the one making the deal?”
Raven rolled her eyes and decided to take care of the situation since Princess Cadence was way over her head when just then, Shining Armor returned.
“Oh honey, so glad to see you. Did you manage to talk with Mr. Cake?”
“Yes and I think you should leave those two alone.”
“What? I can´t ignore them., Their marriage is on the verge of disaster, they need my help. Listen, you try to get Mrs. Cake to leave her stand and I could get Raven to call Mr. Cake to the main area...
“Yeah because you´re the only one who takes decisions here.”
“What? What are you talking about, Shining?”
“I´m talking about you sitting comfortably all day while I go around doing your errands!”
“I only asked you to do one thing! It´s not like i asked you to stay all day here with me!”
“Because you obviously you don´t want me around! after all, I´m just the Prince Consort.”
“Where is this coming from, Shining?”
“It comes from you always putting your needs first. Have you ever considered I may have others things to do beside fixing other ponies´problems?”
“Oh pelas,e this is not the time to discuss your silly toys!”
“Oh so they´re silly because you don´t like them!”
“No, they´re silly because that´s all you talk about!”
“Then I guess I´ll go look for somepony who wants to talk about them all day!”
“If that´s you want then fine, go!”
“Fine then!”
“Fine!”
“Fine!”
“Fine!”
“FINE!”
All the ponies stopped to stare at the royal couple arguing and turned around nervously while Shining Armor left and Cadence returned to her seat.
*****
“What am I gonna do now?” Flash Sentry lamented, trying to find the stand. He had no other option but to trade his guitar back if they´re even going to take it but he couldn't find the stand again. “Oh great…”
“Hey, cool guitar!”
Flash descended to talk to the pegasus from the figurines stand. “You like it. It´s just like the model used by Hindquarters on…”
“Yeah yeah, I just like it because it looks like an axe!”
“Oh right, hey you think you can trade it for that paladin figurine?”
“No way! This figure is way too special but I got these fourth edition dices to trade.”
Flash looked at the guitar and sighed. He got to admit to his mistake, he was so excited to get something for himself that let down the only stallion that had treated him nice since he had been deployed to the crystal Empire. He needed to do something to make things right so he gave away his desired guitar.
“Alright! Now let's see those girls leave disappointed!”
Flash sighed once more and left the pegasus to his own things.
*****
“And we obviously will never sell a faulty wagon, isn't´that right, brother?”
“RIght indeed!”
“Please, these two tried to trick Trixie with some loose wheels, even after she had generously offered her Starswirl the Bearded magic wand!”
“Please that thing has practically the price tag attached!”
“Indeed!”
“Liars!”
Trixie and the twin brothers kept tossing insults at each other but Cadence wasn't paying attention.
“Can't believe he said that? When have I ever complained about his hobbies and yes, maybe I don't understand but if he just walked me through one day, I may like them!”
“Your highness, you´re not paying attention to Trixie´s demands!”
“Princess Cadence…” Raven insisted too.
“Oh please, it´s obvious you´re both selling fake articles!” Cadence exploded.
“We´re not!” the three poneis replied.
“I can tell a faulty wagon when I see one and that wand is obviously a fake! The star has the wrong numbers of tips to begin with and the price tag it is still there! Raven, take care!”
Ravne levitated a stamp and marked all three. “You´re expelled from the fair for selling false products.”
“But...but Trixie has changed her ways!”
“Guess we´re back to selling lotions, my brother!”
“Wonder if it´s the time to take another try at that cure all tonic.”
Raven turned her attention back to Princess Cadence who was pouting at the throne. “It's not like I´m not interested at all or I don't´want him near me, I just thought this day was going to be so boring. I shouldn't have said that.”
“Princess, you need to leave.”
“Uh, but I thought we still have another hour before the closing ceremonies?” Cadence said.
“You cannot fulfill your duties in this state of mind. You have to solve whatever issue you have, starting with that married couple.”
“I thought that wasn´t my business…”
“You´re the Princess of Love, of course it is your business. I just meant that tending tp the fair was a more urgent business but if you keep being so distressed like this, you…”
Cadence´s response was to give Raven a big, tender hug and then fly off to search for Shining, failing o notice the unicorn was smiling again.
*****
“Another round of jelly donuts, Donut Joe.”
“My my, haven't see you gulp so many sprinklers like that since you were a student, Shining Armor.”
Shining gulped two donuts and once and replied, “Not like it´s my fault! I came all over here to be with her! Only...only I didn't do that and instead went looking for some toys. I should have stay with her instead of wasting my time.”
Shining gulped another pair of donuts and rushed off, making Donut Joe smile too.,
*****
Cadence glided over the fair, looking for Shining.
Shining trotted across the crowd, looking for Cadence,
When they saw each other, they shouted their names.,
Too bad that draw the attention of the shrieking amres who started chasing Shining. Poor stallion couldn't get them away so Cadence flew to his rescue, lifting him on the air. Too bad that Shining was a lot heavier than Cadence expected.
“Falling, falling! Sweetie, you need to let me go!” Shigign said,
“Never!”
“Cadence, that's really romantic but we´re really falling!”
Indeed they were, Cadence couldn´t keep her balance anymore and they both fell to the ground. The ponies below ehdl their breath watching them go when suddenly a flash, quite literally, managed to catch them and they all landed on the ground.
“Ouch, that hurt. Cadence!”
“Shining Armor!”
The royal couple held hooves and both apologized for their actions.
“I should have never said that, I acted like a jerk,” he said,
“No, it was my fault,” she replied.
“No, my fault.”
“We were both acting really childish,” she said and kissed him.
“Agree,” he said and returned the kiss.
The entire crowd that was watching them exploded into cheers and both waved at them, embarrassed.
“This is going to happen a lot, right?” Shining asked.
“Well, we´re still the newest celebrity couple on Equestria. We´ll have to wait for the next Princess to get married,” Cadence said
“Oh that reminds me. Hey Flash, thanks for the save. Good move over the…”
“I´m sorry!” Flash said, jumping to Shining´s hooves. “I´m so sorry! I exchanged my case of picks to get a rock covered in moss to get a guitar but then I realized that I have traded your precious twelve sided Nights of Canterlot edition dice but now I can't find the sisters I sold them too so I exchanged the guitar for a pair of dice but I'm sure they're not as good!”
Shining and Cadence blinked in confusion and then started to laugh.
“Your...majesties?”
“Oh Flash, you know what? Itps not that important, Shining said.
“But you said it was your lucky dice, that it was one of a kind…” Flash began but Shining interrupted him.
“I was just dragging you along so I don´t really blame you. It was an honest accident so it´s okay.”
Flash wasn't too convinced but he accepted the Prince´s words.
“You know, I have to close the fair now and all the vendors need to gather. The sisters you traded the case will be there and I'm sure we can figure something to get Shining´s toy back.”
“Thank you, Princess, “Flash said, bowing to her.
“Oh please, you´re a friend of Shining, no need for that.”
*****
“Fillies and gentlecolts, I´m happy that this year Rainbow Falls Traders Exchange has been a success! There's been some lows, some problems, but the spirit of the fair, ponies exchanging goods, the same way a friend will give another a present, remained! I´ll like to thank all of you for your excellent work! The fair is closed!”
Princess Cadence hit her gavel and the entire crowd cheered. Even Raven was smiled and Cadence smiled back at her.
“There they are! Hey, remember me?”
“Yes, the hopeless lover..:” Lime said to Flash.
“...is this the pony who wanted the stone?” Marble finishes.
Shingin was confused but Flash didn't want to dwell on that. “Listen, I know I exchanged my picks case with you and the fair but I really need to recover something from it. it wasn't mine to give and I need to get it back.”
“We don´t have it anymore…” Marble started,.
“...it´s a present for our sister,” Lime finished.
“The picks?” Flasha sked.
“Oh those…” Marble started.
“...yeah, we got rid of those. We only wanted the case,” Marble finished and pointed at a trash can.
While Flash and Shing rushed to get their goods fromt eh tash, Lime and Marble´s sister arrived.
“Hi Maud, we made this for you…” Lime said, showing the case.
“...it´s a bed for Boulder from when you can't have him on your pocket,” Marble finished.
Maud took a look at the box and concluded, “I´m very proud of you two,” And awkwardly hugged them both.
“Those ponies creep me out, sir,” Flash said and Shining laughed.
Meanwhile, Mr and Mrs. Cake approached Princess Cadence “Your Highness? We want you to have this.”
Cadence looked at the cookie models and asked why, after thanking them, of course.
“To be honest, we saw you and Prince Shining and well…” Mr. Cake began.
“We kind of feel silly for hwo we acted. We know understand you were trying to help us and we should have just talk things through,” Mrs. Cake finished.
“I´m glad you two have made it work but I cannot accept this…” Cadence said, much to their disappointment. “not without giving you something in return.”
Cadence made her horn glow and two hearts floated from the Cakes meeting in the middle. Then they began to shine and something materialized, a beautiful pink gemstone.
“Oh a rock amterizlaiiton. Only an unicorn of the highest level or an alicorn Princess is able to perform it,” Maud Pie explained. “Fascinating.”
“Fascinating,” her sisters repeated.
The Cakes thanked the Princess for the gift and she walked to thank Raven.
“No need for that, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, I´m just glad I got to serve you.”
“Just Princess Cadence and I do need to thank you, I barely did anything today. If it wasn't for you helping, this would have been a chaos.”
“Well, I´m flattered and…” Ravne said, adjusting her glasses. “If I may share a confidence, I didn't so much insisted on this job as was following your anunt´s...suggestion. She was worried about you being all alone.”
“I figured as much. Are you sure you don´t want anything?”
“Like I told you, Princess...Cadence. Serving you is my only wish.”
“In that case, this fair messed with both the Crystal Ponies and Twilight´s plans for our anniversary. You think aunt Celestia´ may let me borrow you for a little while?”
“I´m sure that can be arranged,” Raven replied with a smile.
“Hey dude, turns out I really don't know how to play this and I don´t think it looks nearly as cool,” the pegasus said, approaching Flash and Shingin. “Think I can trade it back? I´ll even add the paladin figurine!”
“Nah, we´re good,” Shining said, putting his arm around Flash and they both leave.
“Anypony wants to trade? Anypony?”
“Woah dude I had like a guitar just like that. That´s so weird,” Flax Seed said while his wife was still entranced with the moss.
“So you´re kind of a musician, eh Flash?”
“Well, I try my best…” Flash replied, sheepishly.
“You know, I used to have a band back at school. We even made a demo. I´ll let you listen to it when we get back to the Crystal Empire.”
“Okay…” Flash Sentry said, thinking to himself that despite the Prince being a bit of a goof his music should be good, right?
Well, if you know that story….
